Cole’s Quince

Cole’s Quince (sometimes called Quince of Cole) originated in about 1830 in Cornish, Maine. It was introduced by Captain Henry Cole . His son, S.W. Cole, featured the variety is his famous pomological publication, The American Fruit Book. This all-purpose summer apple is extremely rare. The variety was historically grown throughout much of southern and central Maine, as well as scattered locations out of state. There are currently no known old trees left in Maine.

No one knows where the name came from, but perhaps it was named because the very ripe fruit resembles a lumpy, yellow quince in appearance. Or perhaps it was called Quince because of what several old books call its “rich, high quince favor”.

The large, flattish-conical, ribbed, bright yellow fruit sometimes has a brownish blush. As the fruit ripens, the blush turns a glowing translucent, rusty red through which numerous yellow spots appear.

This is one of our very favorite early apples that ripens in mid-late August. We love it for late summer pies and sauce. We also like it as a dessert (fresh eating) apple. It was a hit in our taste tests where the white flesh was described as “tangy” and “strongly aromatic” having “zesty zip” and “zing with plenty of sweetness.” The apples ripen over several weeks. Collect them off the ground and use them within a day or two.

Blooms early. About as hardy as Baldwin.